Christmas in Hawaii

Early in the year, we decided to spend Christmas on the Big Island of Hawaii with our daughter, Michele.  We've visited her before, but never for the holidays.  It was just a wonderful time.  

On December 19, we hopped a plane to Los Angeles and spent the night in a hotel airport.  The next day, we took an early Hawaiian airline flight straight into Kona.  We tried out some lovely restaurants. One memorable one was in Waimea, quite a drive to the part of the Island that is known for its cattle and cowboys!  The Restaurant,  Merriman's., was SO delicious.  Michele and Richard opted for fish but I tried the delicious lamb.  Oh and the bread pudding made from macadamia nuts was out of this world yummy!  Here is beautiful Michele making a toast and showing off her entree.

This map shows the route to Waimea, probably about 1-1/2 hour drive, but so worth it!

 

December 22 we tried this little road stand for lunch near Michele's home.  It was delicious BBQ made by native Hawaiians.

 

Roadside BBQ Chicken for Lunch

December 23 we took a 45-minute drive to our favorite beach.  We love the beautiful trees that line the shore and provide shade.  We enjoyed the snorkeling here, too.

Beach 69

Michele has a beautiful view of the Pacific from her back lanai (porch).  Check out this sunset!

Sunset from Porch

 On December 24, we made Christmas Cookies with Michele's grandmother's vintage 1950 Mid Century Cookie Cutters. Richard remembered to bring our stockings all set for Old Saint Nick!

We attended Christmas Eve Mass at a modern newly built Catholic Church.  Christmas Day was beautiful weather.  I snorkeled a great spot nearby and saw gorgeous fish.

Christmas Morning Sky

I love the turtles of Hawaii.  You can see them clearly on the shoreline but tourists must not bother them!

Christmas Eve Dinner at Magics  I love this picture of Michele!

Magics' Sunset

Dec 25th Snorkeling Beach park - so pretty and easy to do!

Snorkeling on Christmas Day

On December 26 we took a couple of hour drive north to go to a gorgeous Black Sand Beach, which is known for its turtles.  I braved the water but had to be careful because this beach is extremely rocky.  Those turtles love the rocks!

Panalu'u Black Sand Beach

On the way to the Beach, we stopped at the very popular Punalu'u bakery. We brought a loaf of specialty bread, only $5.50 a loaf, home with us. 

 Christmas with Michele and recommend traveling to the Big Island.

Holidays

 

At the Yacht Club

This year we participated in IYCs Lighting of the Fleet redeploying decorations from past participations. We docked along the gangway of the club's new floating dock. Joanne made chili and cookies for the many folks that stopped by some of whom we haven't seen in a few years. 

We kicked off the season on Thanksgiving day with visit from Richard's niece, Jessica with husband Clayton, daughter Claire and nanny Anna from Austria. Claire who loves the water couldn't have been happier swimming in our pool.  

Although we plan to spend Christmas in Hawaii, we setup our Christmas Tree inside and the manager scene outside. 

Our PGIslander's boating club held the holiday party at IYC with seventy attending.  The dinner and dancing were top notch!  We enjoyed with free tickets  an afternoon Christmas concert presented by the Punta Gorda Symphony. We listened to Paul Todd Jr and his two young daughtperers at IYC's holiday concert. After dinner at the Venice Yacht Club, we had front rows seats for the Venice Symphony's Holiday performance.

Punta Gorda Symphony

With Neighbors at the Tiki Hut, December 8 - deb & the dynamics take the stage